Cyclone Collectors – Will a Cyclone System Meet Your Needs?

With the vast array of industrial dust collection options available, the process of deciding which choice is the best to meet your needs can seem overwhelming. If you are considering investing in one of the many cyclone collectors that are available, this article will help you determine if this type of dust collector is your best option.

Cyclone collectors are one of the most trusted and widely used dust collection systems. The advantages to choosing a cyclone system include low maintenance, affordability, and extreme versatility. While some applications require filter media collectors in order to reach the efficiency needed for regulatory compliance, many others are suited for cyclone collectors. By considering the following factors, you can determine if a cyclone collector can meet your needs.

Size of the Dust

Cyclone collectors have a high level of efficiency when it comes to larger dust particulate. This is because inertial forces are used to separate the dust particles from the air stream – the larger the particulate, the greater the inertia. Though this design is not as effective for separating extremely small particles, some cyclone systems incorporate a secondary air stream to enhance the efficiency with fine dust.

Level of Dust

An important factor to consider when designing a pollution control system is the grain or dust load. This refers to the amount of dust suspended in an air stream. This number is usually measured in the amount of grains per cubic foot of gas. The dust load will indicate the size dust collector needed and will also dictate the type of dust collector required. When the dust load is high, cyclone collectors can be used in conjunction with filter media collectors, to prolong the life of the filter.

Dust Reclamation

The majority of filter media dust collectors are designed to capture dust for disposal. In many applications, however, particulate matter consists of a valuable product that could be reclaimed. Using a cyclone collector before the filter media allows the valuable material to be reclaimed without the risk of contamination. In some cases, mechanical separation allows cyclone collectors to act as classifiers, collecting the larger particles and sending the finer dust to a final filter.

Heat or Humidity Challenges

The application environment can create specific challenges for dust collectors. For example, the collection of extremely hot dust can be impossible with normal filters, or extremely expensive with flame retardant filters. Significant levels of humidity can create steam or condensation, leading to problems with keeping the filters sufficiently clean. Cyclone collectors tend to operate much more successfully in these situations.